Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each side of the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage the end plate engagement member or members. The end plate may be retained in an engaged position by the locking member. In alternate embodiments, a plurality of locking members are provided, preferably locking members that slide within a channel in the end plate.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, end plate engagement members attached to the support frame and first and second locking members movably connected with the end plate. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by first and second locking members that preferably slide within a channel in the end plate. In one embodiment, an elongated member is secured to the respective locking members and to a turn knob such that force can be placed upon each respective locking member by turning the turn knob and pulling the elongated member so as to draw each of the respective locking members away from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A Strap Assembly for a tonneau cover and a tonneau cover apparatus including a strap assembly. The apparatus preferably includes, a flexible cover, the flexible cover having first and second ends; a support frame for attachment to a cargo box of a pick-up truck; the support frame having a front bar to which the first end of the flexible cover is secured. The strap assembly includes a strap bracket; and a buckle insertion member; a strap to secure the flexible cover in a rolled up configuration proximate the front bar when the flexible cover is not in use to cover an opening defined by the perimeter of the cargo box. The strap has first and second ends; the buckle insertion member being secured to the first end of the strap; and a strap bracket attached to the front bar. The strap bracket includes a buckle insertion receiving member and a strap receiving opening.

Abstract: A cable trough for installing cables alongside a railway line or other right of way is described. The cable trough is constructed using longitudinally oriented reinforcing fibers coated with polymeric resin that generally aligns the reinforcing fibers with the length of the cable trough. One or more connector clips may be used to secure respective portions of the cable trough to one another. The cable trough is provided with a cover that may be removably secured to an elongate channel to protect the cables housed within the cable trough. Elbows, corners, tees, and other connectors may be provided to run the cable trough in any desired direction. A method of installing cables in a cable trough is also described.

Abstract: A load-bearing device including an overload indicator and a wire form overload indicator are provided for interconnection of load bearing connectors, preferably elongated load bearing connectors, for bearing a load. In preferred embodiments, the load bearing connectors are chains, ropes, wire ropes, cables, straps and the like, preferably chain. The wire form overload indicator preferably includes a wire form quick-link having a first thickness, and first and second elongated sides. The first elongated side preferably includes an interconnectable gap through which connection loops of the load bearing connectors can pass when the interconnectable gap is unconnected. The interconnectable gap includes a connection end and a connectable end, the connecting end having a connector capable of connecting the connecting end to the connectable end to close the gap. The second elongated side preferably has a portion having a diminished thickness as compared to the first thickness.

Abstract: A lock assembly for attachment to an enclosure door. In preferred embodiments, the enclosure door has a lock assembly receiving opening for receiving the lock assembly, the lock assembly includes a lock case assembly having a bolt that can be moved between at least two positions; a lock actuating assembly interconnected with the lock case assembly; and a mounting plate having an interior side and an exterior side. The lock actuating assembly is preferably secured to the mounting plate on the exterior side and the lock case assembly is preferably secured to the mounting plate on the interior side. The lock assembly can be secured to the enclosure door by an interior mounting plate securing bracket, preferably two such brackets secured to the interior side of the mounting plate. In alternate embodiments, the present invention provides a method of securing a lock assembly to an enclosure door.

Abstract: An igniter for ignition over a wide air/fuel ratio range. Igniter includes an igniter body including an internal cavity disposed substantially within the igniter body, an internal spark gap disposed substantially within the internal cavity, an external spark gap disposed substantially on an exposed surface of the igniter body, and a fuel charge delivery system for delivering a fuel charge to the internal cavity.

Abstract: A composition for forming an electrode for use in a torch jet spark plug is provided. The composition comprises a ceramic material, ceramic particles, and an electrically conductive material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ceramic material. At least some of the ceramic particles have a predetermined size. This predetermined size is at least as large as the thickness of the finally formed electrode. The electrically conductive material is capable of being manipulated to form ribbons around the ceramic particles and of being sintered to form the electrode. The resultant electrode has good resistance to explosive erosion mechanisms, which consequently increases the life of the torch jet spark plug.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A fastening element for operatively connecting masonry units together in a fixed relation. The fastening element comprises a body with a web having opposing surfaces, and a plurality of projections that extend in a generally perpendicular direction therefrom. The projections are spaced apart from each other and configured to engage portions of masonry units therebetween in a constrained relation. The fastening element permits two, three, or four masonry units to be operatively connected together in variety of configurations without the use of mortar.

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall. The block has a bottom with a non-planar portion that forms a gap between the block and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon. This gap allows the block to rest on the lower course of blocks in a stable, level manner by providing a space that can accommodate small amounts of intrusive material such as rubble, dirt, or miscellaneous debris which would otherwise interfere with the stacking of the blocks. The block's bottom may also include a plurality of grooves that provide additional clearance in the gap for larger bits of intrusive material such as pebbles or small stones. Preferably, the grooves have angled walls which act to funnel the larger bits of intrusive material into an area of adequate clearance when the block is being placed on a lower course of similar blocks.

Abstract: A retaining wall block and a system and method for constructing a retaining wall with multiple blocks laid in successive courses. The system comprises a plurality of building blocks and a flexible anchor grid. Each block has top and bottom surfaces, front and rear surfaces, opposing side surfaces, and a downwardly extending engagement section. The downwardly extending engagement section is configured to be directly connected to a sheet of flexible, pliant anchoring material of the type having plurality of perforations. The sheet of anchoring material is laid over a course of blocks and extended into earth fill behind the wall. The downwardly extending engagement section is also configured to engage and position adjacent courses of blocks relative to each other in a predetermined, setback relation. Preferably, the engagement section has one or more teeth that are arranged in a linear row and which are constructed and arranged to project through apertures in the anchoring grid sheet.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each side of the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to the end plate engagement member or members into and out of a fixed stretching position wherein the flexible cover can be correspondingly be tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by the locking member, in alternate embodiments, a plurality of locking members are provided, preferably locking members that slide within a channel in the end plate.

Abstract: A high-power ion sputtering magnetron having a rotary cathode comprising a conducting member disposed within the rotary cathode being made of an electrically conductive material for conducting electrical current from the power supply to the rotary cathode. The ion sputtering magnetron also has an electromagnetic field shield disposed between the conducting member and the drive shaft portion. The field shield is made of an electromagnetic field-permeable material such as a ferrous material for reducing damage to parts adjacent to the conducting member that are susceptible to inductive magnetic heating.

Abstract: A block splitting tool having a splitting blade that is formed by edges of a plurality of smaller splitter segments. The splitter segments are arranged in a side-by-side relation such that the edges form a substantially continuous blade that is generally corrugated or jagged. The splitter segments may be operatively connected to a suitable support that, in turn, is attached to a block splitting machine. When the splitting blade of the tool engages and splits a block, the edges of the splitter segments form a plurality of fracture zones that are angled with respect to each other, which results in roughened facings on the newly cleaved smaller blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the splitter segments are removably attached to a support plate, so that they may be repositioned, replaced, and/or repaired.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A protective holder for use with a paintbrush. The holder has a flexible sleeve that is configured to be snuggly positioned about a substantial portion of a paintbrush body. The sleeve has an aperture through which the handle of a brush may extend, and may also include absorbent material that captures liquid that dribbles down from the applicator portion of a paintbrush when the paintbrush is held vertically. The holder also has a protective, segmented skirt that is operatively connected to the sleeve and whose segments or panels may be selectively moved between a protective storage position where the skirt substantially encircles the applicator portion of a brush, and a protective use position where the skirt substantially encircles the handle of a brush. The holder also may have a fastener to maintain the skirt in either of its protective positions.

Abstract: A housing for protectively shielding control sensors detectors, or similar devices from harsh work environments. The housing comprises an enclosure having a sensing area transparent to electromagnetic waves. The sensing area is protected by a material that is arranged in an overlaying relation thereto, and which is of sufficient thickness to effectively protect the sensing area of the housing from harsh work environments while allowing the control sensor to operate therethrough in a normal fashion. The protective material may take the form of a laminate applied to a cap covering the sensing area, or the cap itself and/or housing may be made from the protective material. Preferably, the protective material includes material having a low coefficient of friction such as molybdenum disulfide, graphite, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for maintaining policy compliance on a computer network is provided. The method provides the steps of electronically monitoring network user compliance with a network security policy stored in a database, electronically evaluating network security policy compliance based on network user compliance, and electronically undertaking a network policy compliance action in response to network security policy compliance.